Preindexing apparatus for stop bars of paper-cutting machines



Jan. 23, 1951 M. s. NORTH 2,539,373

PREINDEXING APPARATUS FOR STOP BARS OF PAPER CUTTING MACHNES Filed Oct.25, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Jan. 23, 1951 PREINDEXING APPARATUSFOR STOP BARS OF PAPER-CUTTING MACHINES Mortimer S. North, B 'The UnitedStates This invention relates to apparatus for setting up orpre-indexing 'a series of fixed positions of various measurements foruse in connection with a paper cutting machine or the like.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means for eliminatingdown time of a cutting machine or the like during the process of settingup or pre-indexing the stop bar of the machine.

Another object is to provide means whereby a plurality of stop bars maybe pre-indexed simultaneously, independently of the paper cuttingmachine.

A further object is to provide means whereby the stop bar of a papercutting machine may be quickly and accurately set upror pre-indexed byunskilled or inexperienced operators in advance of use of the stop 1carupon the cutting machine.

These'and other objects and advantages are attained by the meansdescribed in the following specifications and illustrated upon theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmental front elevational view of the pre-indexingmachine, with parts broken away for clarity of disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental end elevational view of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental perspective view showing the general constructionof the carriage, which forms part of the invention.

In the mass production oi' certain kinds of printed matter, such aslabels for canned milk, canned fruits and vegetables. and the like,stacks f large sheets of printed or lithographed labels are iirst cutinto long strips by one cutting machine, and then the strips of labelsare cut or chopped into stacks of individual labels by another machine,commonly called a choppen The last named cutting machine or chopper isgenerally equipped with a rotatable indexed stop bar providedlongitudinally with a series of stop lugs spaced apart at iixedpositions correspending to the dimensions of the labels to be cutsuccessively from the long strip oi labels. In the past it was necessaryto fix the stop lugs on the stop bar in their proper positions while thestop bar was in operating location upon the cutting machine. Thisentailed a great amount of down time for the cutting machine during thesetting-up operation, idling all the workers assigned to the machineduring this period.

The present invention permits a set-up man to set up or pre-index a stopbar` independently of the cutting machine, thus making it possible forthe cuttingmachine to continue operations on another set of labelswithout loss of production altimore, Md., assignor to Printing andLithograph Co., Norwood, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October25, 1947, Serial No. 782,137

8 Claims. (Cl. 33-181) time for the cutting machine operator and thevarious other workers assigned tc wrap or otherwise process the labelsas they are chopped from the long printed strips.

Referring to Fig. 1, the device of the present invention may be in theform of a table 8, comprising an elongated bed e, supported by legs Iii.A pair of brackets I2 and I3 supported one or more stop bars it. Thesestop bars are standard equipment on paper' cutting machines, thereforethey form no part of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, thebrackets I2 and I3 are mounted at the rear of the table 8, and overhangthe bed e, mounting means being indicated at I1. A carriage i5 ismounted for longitudinal movement upon the bed 9 by means of wheels orrollers iii which track upon the upper surface of the bed.

The stop bars Eli are provided with a plurality of splines orlongitudinal grooves I8 which are adapted to receive stop lugs I9,slidable in the grooves and xed therein at positions to designate thevarious widths of labels to be cut from the printed strips. Each grooveupon the bar may be set with stop lugs for a di'iierent label, making itpossible to use one bar for as many diierent jobs or labels as there aregrooves in the bar.

The bar supporting brackets I2 and I3 shown in Fig. 1 are adapted toreceive two stop bars I4 in parallelism, one above the other, so thattwo bars may be set up simultaneously for label jobs large enough tojustify the use of two or more cutting machines. The right end of eachbar Il! is supported upon a stud 2!) axially extending inwardly from thesprocket shafts 2| rotatably mounted in the bracket I3. Pins 22 x thebars I4 for rotation with the shafts 2l. The opposite end of each bar I4is supported in a half bearing 23, inwardly extending from the barsupporting bracket I2 and in axial alignment with its correspondingsprocket shaft 2l. Displacement of the stop bars It from the brackets I2and I3 may be precluded by suitable means, such as spring urged plungers2e which engage a socket provided in the end face of each bar. Theplungers 2d may be locked in holding position by means ci thumb screws25 threaded into the bracket I2 ior contact with said plungers.

The outer right end of each shaft 2I is provided with a sprocket 28,said sprockets being engaged by the .chain 29, so that the stop bars maybe rotated simultaneously, rotation being e1.- fected manually. `Chaintensioning means may be provided, such as the roller shown at 30 in Fig.2 by. way of example. Y,

Before the splined stop bars may be rotated, the pawl 3| is to bedisengaged from the index Wheel 32, mounted on the upper sprocket shaft2|, the index wheel being in substantial abutment with the outer face ofthe bracket I3. The periphery of the index wheel 32 is provided with aplurality of'notches 331equalin number to the splines or slots in thestop bars I4. The pawl 3l may be disengaged from the index wheel bymeans of a hand lever 34. With the pawl disengaged, the upper bar I4 maybe rotated Vuntil the --spline to be set With stop lugs I9 is in linewith Ythesetting trigger 36 pivotally mounted on the Vupright postmember 3B of the carriage I5.. The pawl is then permitted to engage thecorresponding peripheral notch 33 in the index wheel, thereby precludingfurther rotation ofthe stopbars I4. Yielding means to maintainengagement of the pawl with the index wheel may be provided, such as thetension spring 39,"having one end secured to the pawl 3| and theopposite end secured'to the Abracket hub 40.

As hereinbefore explained, the carriage I5, with its upright postmember38, is longitudinally movable upon the bed 9. Fixed to the underside of. the carriage I andV movable therewith are the label stripcarrier bars 4l, disposed in longitudinal ways 42, Fig. 3. The stripcarrier bars 4I are of substantially greater length than the printedstrip of labels which is tok be cut or chopped bythe'cuttingmachinesupon which the stop bars I4 are to be used.

Each sidecf thebed SIV is'provide'd with a longitudinal ledge 43,surmounted by aY retaining strip substantiallyoverhanging the innermargin of each ledge, thus serving to confine the carriage within thebed'of the table 8. A scale 45 is mounted `upon the front retainingstrip 441ongitudinally thereof, and is provided with calibrations 46.The scale maybe xed by means of screws, such as48,`whic'h serve also tofix the retaining strips 44 to the ledges 43.

A fixed indicator 49-is mounted on the carriage ,I5, having a pointer 50adjacent the inner edge ofthe scale 45 and substantially flush with thetop thereof. A-second indicator 5I is mounted upon the carriage, saidindicator being provided with a frictionally adjustable pointing arm 52overhanging the inner margin of the scale and in slidable contacttherewith.

The upright post member'38 is longitudinally adjustable upon thecarriage I5, being slidable inthe-carriage grooves 53. Adjusting meansmay comprise a knurled screw 54at the rear of the post, lthe turning ofwhich Iwill move the post 3-3 tothe right or left. Adjustments ofthepost 38 may at times be necessary to compensate for variations in thecastingsA of vcutting machines upon which the stop bars I4 are used.Clamping means, such as the lock screw 55, may be provided for clampingthev post38 against further movement on the carriage I5 after properadjustments have been made.

Inpaddition to the pivotally mounted setting trigger 36, an auxiliarysetting trigger is also pivotally mounted, in the post member 3S, invertical alignment with thetrigger 36, the pivoting means forbothtriggers'b'eing'indicated 'at 53; Eachtriggerhasa contact"face"59 atits outer end, against 4`whi'ch'the :stop lugs .I9 abut whensaid lugsare positioned and xed in the spl-inesfor grooves I8 of the stop bars. Aretain@` ing'plate (i0, mounted upon the AtriggerL-post by suitablemeans; suchzas screws II, serves to preclude sidewise movement ofthesetting ltrigger .of a strip carrier bar 4I.

members 36 and 56. Since the setting triggers must be moved over thestop lugs IQ after each lug is fixed in its proper position, liftingmeans may be provided in the form of a trigger tab 52 upon the trigger33, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Pivotal movement of trigger 36 istranslated to the auxiliary trigger 56 by means of a vertical connectinglink 63, which connects the two triggers for unitary pivotal action, asshown upon the drawings.

Near the right end of the bed 9 a knife gauge is provided, as shown inFig. 3. One edge E53 of the knife gauge is at substantial right anglesto the longitudinal axis of the bed 9, and rep-- resents the position ofthe cutting machine knife relative to the stop lugs I9 on the stop barsI4. The knife gauge E5 may be mounted for longitudinal adjustment uponan inner face of a table ledge 43 by means of screws 6'! insertedthrough an elongated slot 58 and threaded into the ledge 43. In order topermit a strip of labels 69 Fig. l, to be inserted under the knife gauge35 fer gauging purposes, the gauge is mounted in slight- 1y elevatedposition relative to the upper surface of the strip carrier bars 4I, asshown in Fig. 1.

The forward edge 'It of the carriage i5 serves as an abutment for anedge 'Il of the label strip used in setting up the stop bars I4. Meansfor maintaining the label strip edge in abutment with the carriage edge10 may be provided, such as the hold down clip 'I2 having a gripper poretion I3 in yielding contact with the upper face The clip 'l2 may besecured by means of a screw 14, Fig. 3, to the upper surface of thecarriage I5. The up-turned free end 'l5 of the hold down clip may beused for manually raising the clip out of contact with the strip carrierbar for insertion or removal of the label strip 69 thereunder.

Operation of the instant invention is as follows: With one or more stopbars I4 supported between the brackets I2 and I3, each bar having anempty or unused groove or spline I8 substantially tangent to end facesof the setting triggers andEEi, one end of a label strip 69 is placedagainst the carriage edge 'l0 and under the hold down clip l2. Theopposite endrof the printed strip is fed under the knife gauge'SE, theentire strip being flattened upon the strip carrier bars 4I. Thecarriage I5 is then moved to the left until the rst cut to be made fromthe strip is located vin alignment with the gauging edge 66 of the knifegauge. With the carriage in this position, a stop lug i9 is slidabymoved to the left against the Contact face 59 of the trigger 33 andfirmly held against said trigger while the stop lugv screw I6 istightened by means of a suitable wrench to iix the stop lug againstmovement in the groove or spline I 8. If both stop bars I4 are to be setup for the same cutting or chopping job, a stop lug I9 in the lower stopbar I4 is also positioned in the same manner just outlined.

After the first cut is thus located, the position of the pointer 5Grelative to the calibrations 46 on the scale should be noted. If thepointer 5B should be on an uneven calibration, the frictionallymovablepointingl arm 52 is moved to the right orleft, as the case may be, tothe nearest even calibration on the' scale 45. The size of each label tobeecut'from the strip being known, the carriage I5 is-then moved to theleft'the required number of inches for indexing Vthe second cut. Beforethe ,carriage is moved for'indexingthe second cut, the setting triggers35 and 56 are raised to clear the stop lugs I9 which have been set forthe first cut. This is done by depressing the trigger tab 62 while thetriggers 36 and 56 pass over the stops I9 on movement of the carriageI5. The trigger tab 62, of course, must be depressed each time thecarriage is moved past a, lixed stop lug.

After the second out has been located, another stop lug Iii is broughtagainst each trigger 3E and 55 and tightened in the same manner asexplained above. This procedure is repeated for each cut until all thecuts on the strip have been indexed. The stop bars I4 are now ready tobe removed from the brackets I2 and I3 and delivered to the cutting orchopping machines upon which the labels used for setting up the stopbars are to be cut. During the period required for setting up the stopbars just described, the cutting machines or choppers upon which theyare to be used may be operating upon another set of labels with adifferent stop bar set up for that particular job, thus eliminating anydown time while preparations are being made for the next job.

After one set-up has been made upon one or more bars by means of theinstant invention, it may be desirable to make one or more additionalset-ups on the same bars. In that case, the stop bars between thebrackets I2 and I3 are rotated in the manner hereinbefore described tobring a free slot I8 in each bar tangent to the triggers 35 and 55. Theprinted strip E9 used for the previous set-up is removed, another stripinserted, and the foregoing procedure followed.

The advantages of the present invention are therefore readily to beappreciated, since a cutting machine or chopper may be devoted entirelyto production without loss of down time for setting up. When one job fcutting labels, tags or the like has been completed, the operatorremoves the stop bar from his machine and simply replaces it with apre-indexed stop bar and proceeds immediately with the next job ofcutting. It is possible to have any number of preindexed stop bars inreadiness for successive cutting jobs.

While the cutting. of printed or lithographed labels has been used as anexample for explaining the instant invention, it is to be understoodthat the device is not necessarily limited to such use. The device isequally adapted for use in setting up or pre-indexing stop bars forplaying cards, unprinted sheets, textiles, and other materials.

It is to be further understood that various structural changes andmodifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims,without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Pre-indexing apparatus for locating the stops upon a stop bar,comprising in combination, an elongated table and a carriage slidablelengthwise thereon, said carriage including an upright post, anelongated specimen strip carrier movable with the carriage, and meansfor holding a strip in a predetermined position of lengthwise adjustmentwith respect to the carrier, bracket means fixed relative to the tablefor supporting a stop bar in parallelism with the line of movement ofthe carriage, a setting trigger having an abutment for contacting andlocating a stop on the bar, and means mounting the trigger upon the postfor displacement of said abutment from proximity with the stop,indicator means upon the carriage, and a scale on the yoverlyingrelation to the vsuperposed thereon, said table cooperating with saidindicator means to show various positions of the carriage upon thetable, means causing the specimen strip to move with the carrier inflatwise `contact thereon, and an index member xed relative to the tableoverlying the path of movement of the strip carrier and corresponding inposition with the position of a cutter relative to the strip, whenduplicates of the strip are fed into a cutting machine in a mannerdetermined by the stops of the stop bar. y2. Pre-indexing apparatus forlocating the stops upon a stop bar, comprising in combination, anelongated table and a carriage slidable lengthwise thereon, saidcarriage including an upright post, an elongated specimen strip carriermovable with the carriage, and means for holding a strip in apredetermined position of lengthwise adjustment with respect to thecarrier, bracket means xed relative to the table for supporting a stopbar in parallelism with the line of movement of the carriage, a settingtrigger having an abutment for contacting and locating a stop on thebar, and means mounting the trigger upon the post for displacement ofsaid abutment from proximity with the stop, indicator means upon thecarriage, and a scale on the table cooperating with said indicator meansto show various positions of the carriage upon the table, adjustmentmeans for positioning the post at different locations upon the carriage,means causing the specimen strip to move with the carrier in natwisecontact thereon, and an index member fixed relative to the tableoverlying the path of movement of the strip carrier and corresponding inposition with the position of a cutter rel-'- ative to the strip, whenduplicates of the strip are fed into a cutting machine in a mannerdetermined by the stops of the stop bar.

3. Pre-indexing apparatus for locating the stops upon a stop bar,comprising in combination, an elongated table and a carriage slidablelengthwise thereon, said carriage including an upright post, anelongated specimen strip carrier movable with the carriage, and meansfor holding a strip in a predetermined position of lengthwise adiustmentwith respect to the carrier, bracket means Xed relative to the table forsupporting a stop bar in parallelism with the line of movement of thecarriage, a setting trigger having an abutment for contacting andlocating a stop on the bar, and means mounting the trigger upon the postfor displacement of said abutment from proximity with the stop, astationary scale arranged upon the table lengthwise thereof, a iixedindicator on the carriage including a pointyer directed at the scale, amovable indicator attached to the carriage slidable in the direction ofcarriage movements and including a second pointer directed to the scaleat a distance from the iirst pointer, means causing the specimen stripto rest flatwise upon the carrier and to move therewith as the carrieris shifted, and an index member xed relative to the table in spacedcarrier and the strip member corresponding in position with the positionof a cutter as related to the strip when advanced through a cuttingmachine. l

4. Pre-indexing apparatus for locating the stops upon a stop bar,comprising in combination, an elongated table and a carriage slidablelengthwise thereon, said carriage including an upright post, anelongated specimen strip carrier movable with the carriage, and meansfor holding a vstrip in a predetermined position of lengthwiseadjustment with respect to the carrier, bracket means fixed relative tothe table for supporting a stop bar in parallelism with the line ofmovement of the carriage, a setting trigger having an abutment forcontacting and locating a s top on the bar, and means mounting thetrigger upon the post for displacement of said abutment fromproximity-with the stop, a stationary scale arranged upon the tablelengthwise thereof, a fixed indicator on the carriage including apointer directed at the scale, a movable indicator attached to thecarriage slidable in the direction of carriage movements and including asecond pointer directed to the scale at a distance from the rst pointer,means causing the specimen strip to rest flatwise upon the carrier andto move therewith-as the carrier is shifted, and an index member fixedrelative to the table in spaced overlying relation to the carrier andthe strip superposed thereon, said member corresponding lin positionwith the position of a cutter as related to. the strip when advancedthrough a cutting machine, and adjustment means for positioningtheupright post at varying distances from said member while the carriageis stationary.

5. Pre-indexing apparatus for locating the stops upon a stop bar,comprising in combination, an elongated tabieand a carriage slidablelengthwise thereon, said carriage including an upright post movabletherewith, 'bracket means fixed relative to the table for supporting atleast onestop bar in parallelism with the line of movement of thecarriage, a setting trigger having an abutment for contacting andlocating a stop on the bar, and means mounting the trigger upon the postfor displacement of said abutment from proximity with the stop,indicator means upon the carriage, and a scale upon the tablecooperating with said indicator means to show various positions of thecarriage upon the table, an elongated strip carrier movable with thecarriage, means for holding a nat specimen strip in a predeterminedposition of lengthwise adjustment with respect to the carrier to movewith the carriage and along the table, and an index member fixedrelative to the table in spaced overlying r-elation to the path ofmovement of the carrier, and corresponding in position with the positioncf acutter as related to the strip when advanced through a cuttingmachine.

6. Pre-indexing apparatus for locating the stops upon a stop bar,comprising in combination, an eongated table and a carriage slidablelengthwise thereon, said carriage including an upright post movabletherewith, bracket means fixed relative to the table for supporting atleast one stop bar in parallelism with the line of movement of thecarriage, a setting trigger having an abutment for contacting andlocating a stop on the bar, and means mounting the trigger upon the postfor displacement of said abutment from proximity with the stop,indicator means upon the carriage, and a scale upon the tablecooperating with said indicator means to show various positions of thecarriage upon the table, an elongated strip carrier movable with thecarriage,

means forholdingfa lat specimen strip in a predetermined, position oflengthwise adjustment with respect to the carrier to move with thecarriage and along the table, an index member fixed relativeto the tablein spaced overlying relation to the-path of movement of the carrier, andcorresponding in position with the position of a cutter as related tothe strip when advanced through a cutting machine, and a movableindicator attached to -the carriage and slidable lengthwise of thecarrier to register with graduations on the scale to translate complexfractional scale readings into simpler fractions to facilitater accuratesuccessive advancements of the carriage along the table.

'7. As a newarticle of manufacture, a device for spacing stops upon thestop bar of a chopping machine, and comprising in combination, a table,a carriage slidable lengthwise of the table, an .indexmember on thetable corresponding in locationto the location of the blade of thechopping machine and overlying the path of movement of the carriage,means providing for lengthwise movement of a specimen strip with thecarriage and along the table, and past said member, means for holdingthe strip in a predetermined position of lengthwise adjustment withrespect to the Carriagameans displaceably mounting at least one stop baralongside the carriage for-supporting said bar in parallelism with theline of carriage movement, and means on the carriage providing anabutment to contact and locate the stops upon the stop bar as thecarriage is moved relative to said member.

S. As a newV article of manufacture, a device for spacing stops upon thestop bars of chopping machines, and comprising in combination, a tableindependent `of the chopping machine, a carriage slidable lengthwise ofthe table, an index member on the table corresponding in location to thelocation of the blade of the chopping machine and overlying the path ofmovement of the carriage, means providing for lengthwise movment of aspecimen strip with the carriage and along thetable, means for holding astrip in a predetermined position of lengthwise adjustment with respectto the carriage means displaceably. mounting at least one stop bar alongthe table in parallelism with the line of carriage movement, andmeans onthe carriage providing an abutment, to contactand locate the stops uponthe stop bar as thecarriage is moved lengthwise of said bar.

MORTIMER S. NORTH.

REFERENCES CITE-ED The followingreferences are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,941,117 Teach l Dec. 26, 19332,095,309 Brackett et al. Oct. 12, 1937 2,122,221 Valiquette June 28,1938

